A meeting of Lord Voldemort and the Death Eaters is happening at the opening of the novel. Professor Snape tells Voldemort that Harry plans on leaving his uncle's house on the next Saturday at nightfall. Snape also reveals that Harry will be well protected at the house, which belongs to one of the Order, and he will not be traveling by Floo or Apperation. Voldemort takes Lucious Malfoy's wand to use on Harry. Throughout the meeting, there is a body magically suspended above the meeting table. It is the body of Charity Burbage, who teaches Muggle studies at Hogwarts. Muggle is the term used for people who are not wizards. Because Charity is an activist for Muggle rights, Voldemort kills her and then feeds her to his snake, Nagini.